Apparatus for loading tank cars and the like



Sept. 11, 1934. H. o. PARSONS APPARATUS FOR LOADING TANK CARS AND THE LIKE 2 Sheets-Sheet l I Filed Nov.

FIG-l ATTORN EY Sept. 11, 1934- H. 0.. PARSONS APPARATUS FOR LOADING TANK CARS AND THE] LIKE Filed Nov. 4, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEY I {Patented Sept. 11, 1934 UNITED sm'r zs APPARATUS FOR PAT 1.913.652 LOADING TANK cans AND THE LIKE EN'r' OFFICE Harrison OQPa rsons, Houston, Tex., assignor-to Standard Oil Development Company, a corporation of Delaware Application November 4,

I 4 Claims.

This inventionirelates to improvements in ap paratus for loading receptacles with liquid, especially tank cars adapted for the transportation of volatile liquids, such as casinghead gasoline.

5 A primary purpose of the invention is to provide through a tank car equipped withfan' improved dome cover and appurtenances, the view being taken on line II of Fig. 3 I

Fig. 2 is avertical section taken on line I[--II of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the improved con struction with the dome cover removed.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral I 1 indicates the shell of a tank car, or similar receptacle for volatile oil or otherfiliquid which should be handled out of contact with air so ifar as possible. .A dome 2 is secured to the shell 1, t and has an opening at the top closed by a valve box 3. The base plate of this box is perforated to receive the loading and unloading lines and the gage pipe, which will be described in detail below. 1

Theloading line 4 passes through the plate 3a 30 and terminates at a point just above the top of the shell, that is, in a line with the liquid when shellful. Line 4 is connected to an oil tank, or other source, from which theliquid is to be passed into the tank car. A valve 5 is installed in this line and is actuable by a handle 5a. A vent line 6 extends through plate 342 to a point adjacent the bottom cf'shell 1. There is a valve 7 in this line, actuable by a handle 7a. Also installed in vent line 6 is a small pipe 8 which has its open lower end in a plane just above the top of the shell. Line 6 is perforated at 9 so that air may be vented into the dome when oil rises in the line.

A gage pipe 10 extends from plate 3a downwardly into shell 1 and has at its bottom a gate valve 11, preferably of the quick-acting type. This valve is actuated through a stem 12 which extends into valve box 3. The gage pipe is reduced in diameter at its lower end as shown at 13. A screw plug 14 normally closes the upper end of the gage pipe. This plug is hollow and has small openings 15 somewhat below its upper part. When the plug is partiallys'crewed out these openings put the gage pipe into communication with the atmosphere. The gauge pipe 1930, Serial No. 493,331

may be opened or closed to pressure within the tank car through a branch pipe 1 0A, having a valve 16 therein, extending from the upper part of the gauge pipe into the dome 2. The valve 16 is actuated by a stem17.

It will be understood that all the valve stems and lines passing through plate 3a are so installed as to prevent escape of vapors from or 1 access of air to the tank car.

A charging line of the usual type is provided, together with a bottom draw-01f ,valve 19. The construction and use of these devices as such form no part of the present invention.

"As shown in Fig. 2, valve box 3 has a cover '20. 7

Thereis also an inner in base plate 3a. A look box or other suitable indicating device 23 is connected with vent line 6, which leads to ages storage tank in the ordinary way. The operation of the device is as follows, referring for example to the handling of casinghead gasoline: 3

The gasoline is pumped into" the tank car shell lthrough line 4. Valves 5, 7, 11, 16 are open and cover 21 over a manhole 22 plug 14 is closed. The gasoline rises in the shell, line 6, and gage pipe 10. As soon as the gasoline has risen above xthe lower end of the small pipe 8 a pressure is developed in the closed shell which causes the liquid to rise rapidly through the small pipe into look box 23. The the car is loaded operator can then see that shellful. The car can be gaged and sampled through the gage ipe 10 without'permitting substantial escape of vapor. Valves 5 and 7 are closed. Valve 11 in the bottom of the gage pipe is closed, thus preventing any pressure existingin the tank from acting upon the liquid in the gage pipe, and valve 16 is also closed. This seals the car. Then the plug 14. is partly screwed out to, relieve pressurethrough perforations 15. When the pressure is relieved, the plug is removed and the liquidgaged in the usual way by inserting a gaging rod. \A ring 24 is set in the pipe at the level of the top of the shell to aid in gaging. Samples may be taken as desired.

With the construction described it is unneces'sary to open the dome cover at any time during the loading, gaging or unloading of the tank. In

this way the dangers and losses cident to escape of volatile vapors into the air are avoided.

The construction described is illustrative only and various changes'may be'made, within the scope of the appended claims, in which it is my intention to claim all novelty inherent in the invention as broadly as the prior art permits.

I claim:

1. In combination with a receptacle for volatile liquids, a loading line for supplying liquid to the receptacle and a vent line for conveying gas therefrom, a pipe within the vent line and terminating at about the top of the storage space of the receptacle, means for causing the liquid to rise through saidlast mentioned pipe when the receptacle has received a predetermined amount of liquid a gage pipe having a removable closure, and means for isolating the gage pipe from the body of the receptacle.

2. In combination with a receptacle for volatile liquids, a loading line and a vent line having a look box therein at a point outside the receptacle, the vent line extending downwardly to open within the lower part of the receptacle and secured at its lower end to the receptacle, a small pipe within the vent line opening into the look box and terminating near the top of the storage space of the receptacle, the vent line having an opening above the lower end of the small pipe, and means for causing liquid to rise through the small pipe into the look box when the receptacle has received the proper amount of liquid.

3. In combination with a receptacle for volatile liquids, a gage pipe extending to a point near the bottom of the receptacle, a valve in a branch,

pipe supported by the upper portion of the gauge pipe and a valve in the lower portion of the gauge pipe, a hollow screw plug-normally closing the upper end of the gage pipe, said plug having openings adapted to place the pipe in communication with the atmosphere when the plug' is partly unscrewed.

4. In combination with a tank car-having a. dome, a cover for the dome, a gage pipe extending from the cover to a point adjacent the bottom of the car, a valve in a branch pipe supported by the upper portion of the gauge pipe and a valve 

